AREF Call for Applications: Essential Grant Writing Programme

The Africa Research Excellence Fund (AREF) is pleased to launch a call for applications for the Essential Grant Writing programme (2026).

The Programme aim is to enable talented early-career health- and health-related researchers from countries in Africa to build skills to develop their own research and fellowship proposals of the quality required to win competitive international, regional and national funding.

This fully on-line programme will be held over eight 3-hour sessions during the weeks of 19^th January 2026 and 23^rd March 2026.  There will be an eight-week break in between the two-part programme, where you will be expected to write a mini proposal and participate in an activity to review the proposals of your colleagues. 

Eligibility:

• You are a citizen of a country in Africa
• You are in the early stages of your research career, having completed your research education
• Either you have been awarded a research doctorate (PhD/DPhil/MD) from a recognised academic institution normally within the previous 6 years, (i.e. awarded on or after 1 January 2020); or you have a medical/clinical qualification PLUS a research-relevant Master’s degree, both awarded normally within the previous 6 years (i.e. awarded on or after 1 January 2020). 
• You are currently employed in Africa by a recognised university and/or specialist research institution. 
• You have not participated already in equivalent proposal development / grant-writing training.
• A significant part of your current employee role is to develop and conduct health research.
• You do not already have a significant portfolio of international research grants (Combined value of £250,000 or more). 

Click here to apply. 

Application deadline, 3rd of October 2025.